Welcome to Medical News Today

Healthline Media, Inc. would like to process and share personal data (e.g., mobile ad id) and data about your use of our site (e.g., content interests) with our third party partners (see a current list) using cookies and similar automatic collection tools in order to a) personalize content and/or offers on our site or other sites, b) communicate with you upon request, and/or c) for additional reasons upon notice and, when applicable, with your consent.

Healthline Media, Inc. is based in and operates this site from the United States. Any data you provide will be primarily stored and processed in the United States, pursuant to the laws of the United States, which may provide lesser privacy protections than European Economic Area countries.

By clicking “accept” below, you acknowledge and grant your consent for these activities unless and until you withdraw your consent using our rights request form. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.

Please accept our privacy terms

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience, personalize content and offers, show targeted ads, analyze traffic, and better understand you. We may share your information with third-party partners for marketing purposes. To learn more and make choices about data use, visit our Advertising Policy and Privacy Policy. By clicking “Accept and Continue” below, (1) you consent to these activities unless and until you withdraw your consent using our rights request form, and (2) you consent to allow your data to be transferred, processed, and stored in the United States.

Get the MNT newsletter

Email an article

You have chosen to share the following article:

How elderberries can help you fight the flu

To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don't include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission.

We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can cause a sore throat that sometimes occurs alongside a skin rash. However, a variety of other conditions can also lead to a sore throat and a rash together.

In this article, we discuss eight conditions that can cause both a sore throat and a rash.

Strep throat

Symptoms of strep throat can include sore throat, nausea, and painful swallowing.

Cases of strep throat are most common in late winter and early spring.

Treatments include oral antibiotics and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Note that children under 16 years of age should avoid aspirin due to the possible risk of developing Reye's syndrome.

A person can also treat strep throat at home by:

getting as much rest as possible

staying hydrated

gargling with warm, salty water

Scarlet fever

Image credit: Estreya, 2007

In some people, especially children, strep throat can progress into scarlet fever. This bacterial infection causes high fever and a bright red rash, resembling sunburn. The rash typically starts on the chest but can spread to other areas of the body.

Other symptoms of scarlet fever can include:

red and bumpy tongue that may have a white coating

chills

difficulty swallowing

facial flushing

headache

nausea

red lines in the folds of the skin

swollen lymph nodes on the neck

vomiting

Scarlet fever is highly contagious. People can transmit the infection to others for around 14 to 21 days after their symptoms first appear. Antibiotics reduce the risk of transmission, with people typically becoming noninfectious within 24 hours of treatment.

Antibiotics also cut the risk of complications, including serious ones that can affect the heart and other organs.

Home remedies, such as OTC pain medications and saltwater gargles, can alleviate symptoms until the antibiotics take effect.

Infectious mononucleosis

Image credit: Matibot, 2009

Also known as mono, glandular fever, and the kissing disease, infectious mononucleosis results from infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Most people will catch EBV at some point in their lives, but only a minority of these individuals will go on to develop mono or other viral symptoms.

Mono passes from one person to another through bodily fluids, such as saliva. Kissing, sharing utensils, coughing, and sneezing are all common means of transmission.

Mono mostly develops in adolescents and young adults. Signs and symptoms of mono include:

While the sore throat and rash that accompany mono typically go away after a few weeks, other symptoms can sometimes last for several months. Treatment involves resting, staying hydrated, and using OTC medications for relieving fever and sore throat.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that is also known as rubeola. It can sometimes be fatal in young children.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) advise that if one person has measles, the illness will infect 90 percent of the people around them unless they have the measles vaccination or have previously had measles.

Measles causes a sore throat and a rash that comprises large, flat blotches of red skin. Sometimes, these blotches appear to overlap.

meningitis, or inflammation of the membranes lining the brain and spinal cord

When to see a doctor

Individuals who have a persistent or severe sore throat and rash should see their doctor. They must also seek medical attention if symptoms include:

fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher

fever that persists for longer than a couple of days

neck stiffness

rash that becomes extremely itchy

severe headaches

Call the emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department for symptoms of anaphylaxis or severe infections, which can include:

breathing difficulties

disorientation or confusion

loss of consciousness

Summary

There are several different conditions, including bacterial and viral infections that can cause a sore throat and rash. Some of these conditions are relatively mild and will usually clear up without medical treatment.

A person should see a doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent, or recurring. Seek immediate medical attention for any condition that causes breathing difficulties, confusion, or loss of consciousness.

2019 Healthline Media UK Ltd. All rights reserved. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.